Manchester City vs FC Copenhagen prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-04 19:00.
Manchester City will still be on a massive high from their dominant 6-3 victory over Manchester United when they welcome Copenhagen to the Etihad Stadium. This game now represents a chance for Pep Guardiola’s men to not only strengthen their grip on top spot in UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group G after two wins from two, but also maintain their impressive unbeaten competitive run which began after their Community Shield defeat to Liverpool back in July (W8, D2).
This will be City’s first UCL match against Danish opponents, and you can understand why they’re being heavily backed to make it a winning start too. The Cityzens have avoided defeat in each of their last 21 home UCL matches (W19, D2) which represents the best unbeaten UCL home run by any English side since 2009. They also boast a remarkable record of scoring at least once in 34 home group stage matches.
You could call this a UCL baptism of fire at Copenhagen for new manager Jacob Neestrup who replaced Jess Thorup prior to the international break. Thorup’s dismissal came after the Danish champions went on a run of four games without victory, two of which came in this competition away to Borussia Dortmund (L 3-0) and then home to Sevilla (D 0-0), leaving them third and five points behind City.
Yet considering the attacking capabilities of City, Copenhagen would surely settle for another 0-0 draw here. If the deadlock is to be broken though, then you’d expect it to be by the home side given the visitors have failed to score in five of their last six UCL away matches (W1, D3, L2).
Players to watch: Erling Haaland’s 26th UCL goal in 21 competition matches in the last round will be remembered for the brilliant finish, yet the sincilating pass leading up to the goal was provided by João Cancelo. That was his eighth (G2, A6) UCL goal contribution since the start of last season. Trying to keep those two out will be Copenhagen goalkeeper Matt Ryan who has conceded 21 goals in his previous seven matches against City.
Hot stat: Victory for City would mean they’ve beaten teams from 15 of the 16 different nations they’ve faced, failing only against Scottish sides so far.